This year, make a New Year’s resolution you can keep. Pledge to Prepare. Senior Corps RSVP of Schuylkill County is teaming up with the American Red Cross of Schuylkill and East Northumberland Counties, Citizens Corps Council of Schuylkill County and Schuylkill Community Emergency Management Agency to enroll individuals and families in the Red Cross Ready Campaign. Carol Bowen, Project Director for RSVP and President of the Citizen Corps Council says, “We urge everyone to prepare for a possible disaster - whether it is weather related, caused by a toxic spill, terrorist-induced, or a health pandemic. The public needs to be proactive to ensure their safety. Now is the time to prepare, because once an emergency occurs, it is too late.”

Preparedness is one of the most important things you can do for you and your family. During a major disaster, it is critical that you are able to take care of yourself and family members during the early stages before emergency workers can get to your neighborhood.

There are simple steps you can take now to prepare for disasters and other emergencies.

• Purchase supplies and put together a family survival kit. The American Red Cross has a list of necessary items or you may order a Red Cross Disaster Readiness Kit through your local chapter.
• Make a plan that includes where you will meet after a disaster – outside your home and outside your neighborhood in case of evacuation. Be sure to include your pets in any plan that addresses evacuation.
• Be informed. Learn what disasters or emergencies may occur where you live, work and play. Know how local authorities will notify you during a disaster and how you will receive important information.
• Take a CPR, CERT, or other Red Cross course that will help you help others in the event of an emergency.

In the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Senior Corps RSVP volunteers will head to the malls January 15th to provide information that will assist residents with their disaster planning. They will be asking residents to sign a Pledge to Prepare form and then take the necessary steps to implement that pledge. Although volunteers will only be at the malls on one day, the Pledge to Prepare Campaign in Schuylkill County will run through the end of February.

To sign your pledge and learn more about how you can prepare for disasters visit the Senior Corps Pledge to Prepare display at Cressona Mall, Fairlane Village, or Schuylkill Mall on MLK Day, January 15th or contact the Schuylkill/E. Northumberland Chapter of the American Red Cross by phoning 570-622-9550. Pledges are also available at any county library and at the Senior Resource Centers located in Schuylkill Haven, Pottsville, Shenandoah, Mahanoy City, Tremont, and Minersville.

You may also submit your Red Cross Pledge to Prepare online using the link below.

Online Pledge to Prepare Form

Be smart. Be safe. Be ready. Sign your Pledge to Prepare today

FEMA

Citizen Coprs

American Red Cross

Department of Homeland Security

Institute for Business and Home Safety